anyone have an opion on a 04 extra cab hilux v6?

[004dam]

I have been looking at a few hilux's 2wd and 4wd, found a extra cab 04 hilux 3.4L v6 Automatic ( bit of a down fall but could settle with auto). only has 80 thousand kms for 17g's. has a spare alloy tray etc so hopefully i can get it around 16g after selling the tray etc.

I am not wanting to spend more then 17. my initial plan was to sell my subaru and buy a 2wd hilux of similar age but they dont drive to crash hot for what im use to.



I will basicly be just driving it to and from work and towing my small tinny, I might do the odd 4wding/camping.


but basicly asking about reliabilty engine and gear box wise etc and a basic opinion.

[GBC]

I had an '03 v6 auto sr5 for 6 years.

Last of the jap built lux's - the quality is there. They get through about 16 l/100 as an average with the auto.

Put bigger tyres on and you'll start eating idlers and pitmans on corrugations - but that goes for any ifs ute.

Mine was body lifted, suspension lifted, locked front and ran 33's - it wasn't bashed around as a park toy, but was a very well used tourer which it did well.

They HATE deep water - always use a water blind if the water is any more than wheel height. I put the fan into the radiator on two occasions (both driver error), and being an auto the radiators are about $1200 each. If you havent got a blind just occy strap the fan to the chassis. Again, this could be said for most utes.

The 5vzfe has been around long enough to be proven as a reliable motor. They need oil changes to be on time (who doesn't?), and that's about it.

Mine was recalled for a transfer case replacement at the end of '04 - something about a porous casting - so if the transfer lookes newer that'd be why.

If yours is an sr5 I'd highly recommend getting a set of front hubs (about $250 from sunshine 4x4) and retrofit them. This saves wearing out cv boots which are a pain to replace, and also gives marginally better economy.

Hope this helps.

edit> toyota don't open the auto box's to service them so take it to an auto specialist for a service - Mine had 200 000 in it when I sold it and hadn't given any trouble.

[oldboot]

I wanted an extra cab... you get far more room to adjust the seat, somewhere to throw a bag & some snacks........pity about the auto.

The V6 aparantly is a good goer.

If its as good as it sounds and you can tolerate it, Id be all over it like a rash.

cheers